Food Lion has entered into an agreement with The Winn-Dixie Company to purchase the five remaining Winn-Dixie stores in southern Georgia. The deal takes Food Lion past its prior 2026 growth plan while completing Winn-Dixie’s return to operating strictly in its home state of Florida.
The five new Food Lion stores are located at:
- 5420 Jesup Highway, Brunswick
- 3606 Second St., Folkston
- 1060 Lakes Blvd., Lake Park
- 220 Retreat Village, St. Simons Island
- 3200 N. Ashley St., Valdosta
The stores will remain open as Winn-Dixie until the transaction closes, pending customary requirements, then close briefly before reopening in mid-December with Food Lion’s layout, assortment and Food Lion To Go pickup and home delivery. Food Lion expects to hire roughly 375 associates for the five locations, which expand its Georgia footprint to 51 stores.
“The addition of these stores will allow us to nourish more families across Georgia,” said Greg Finchum, president of Food Lion. “The growth we’re experiencing gives us great momentum as we head into 2027. Each new store broadens our footprint and deepens our presence in the towns and cities we serve, giving our associates the opportunity to offer neighbors the easy and affordable shopping experience they count on from Food Lion.”
Food Lion was on track to open 10 new stores by the end of 2026; the acquisition brings the total to 15 by year’s end.
Winn-Dixie doubles down on Florida
For Jacksonville-based Winn-Dixie, the sale caps a year of consolidation under The Winn-Dixie Company name, the former Southeastern Grocers, which became majority-owned by C&S Wholesale Grocers in August. After the deal, the company expects to operate more than 120 Winn-Dixie grocery stores and more than 100 liquor stores, all in Florida.
The grocer converted and opened three former Hitchcock’s Markets stores in Williston, Keystone Heights and Alachua, completed eight Florida remodels in 2026 and is advancing plans for new stores in Zephyrhills and Eustis in 2027 while exploring further expansion statewide.
“For more than 100 years, Florida has been our home, and our commitment to the communities that have shaped our story remains strong,” said Raymond Rhee, president and CEO of The Winn-Dixie Company, which is based in Jacksonville. “This strategic decision allows us to build on that momentum and direct more resources toward expanding and strengthening our presence across Florida. We recognize the impact this decision has on our associates and customers in southern Georgia, and we deeply value the relationships we’ve built over the years.”
The Food Partners served as financial and strategic adviser to The Winn-Dixie Company.
Salisbury, North Carolina-based Food Lion operates more than 1,100 stores in 10 Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic states and is a company of Ahold Delhaize USA.
Related: C&S Wholesale Grocers To Become Majority Owner Of Winn-Dixie